Shopify CEO Mandates AI Integration into Employee Performance Reviews and Hiring

Shopify CEO Tobias Lütke has announced a company-wide mandate for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into all aspects of the company's operations. This includes incorporating AI usage into employee performance reviews and making it a prerequisite for new hires. In an internal memo, Lütke stated that teams must now justify any requests for additional staff or resources by demonstrating why AI cannot fulfill the required tasks. He emphasized that effective AI usage is now a fundamental expectation for all Shopify employees. Lütke's memo also outlined that AI should be used in the prototype phase of product development to accelerate the process. The company will add questions about AI usage to performance and peer review questionnaires. This initiative reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are increasingly embedding AI into their operational frameworks. Shopify has already launched AI tools like Sidekick and Shopify Magic to assist merchants. Lütke views this AI-first approach as an opportunity to transform Shopify and enhance productivity.